Kevlar: Fun Facts and Trivia

Kevlar is a strong, durable, heat-resistant fiber that is used in bulletproof vests. But it has so many more applications than that!

Kevlar was developed by Stephanie Kwolek at DuPont in 1965 and introduced commercially in 1971. It is a synthetic fiber (plastic) typically spun into fabric sheets or rope.

Kevlar is distantly related to nylon, which was developed by DuPont in the 1930s.

The remarkable properties of Kevlar are thanks to its internal structure. Known as a synthetic aromatic polyamide polymer, the molecules of Kevlar are arranged in parallel regular lines with fibers knitted together very tightly.

Unlike almost all other plastics, Kevlar will not melt. It will decompose only if it reaches a temperature of 450 degrees Celsius.

Extreme cold has no impact on Kevlar and even at almost -200 degrees Celsius, it does not become brittle.

Kevlar can be ignited. It will in most cases stop burning as soon as the source of heat is removed.

Its first commercial use was in racing car tires as a steel replacement. It is actually five times stronger than steel when based on its weight.

Kevlar is very easy to clean: as long as bleach is not used, it will not deteriorate or shrink.

Kevlar will deteriorate somewhat if left in sunlight or exposed to other sources of UV. It will discolor and experience some degradation.

This material is very lightweight, meaning it is ideal in bulletproof vests and other clothing items as it is not bulky and does not cause overheating when worn.

Kevlar does have some disadvantages: while its tensile strength is high, it has poor resistance to being compressed. This is the predominant reason it is not used as a primary structural material in bridges, buildings, etc.

While most recognized for its use as an effective material for bulletproof and knife-proof vests, Kevlar is also used in:

Athletic shoes

Ping pong paddles

Smartphones

Bicycle Tires

Racing Sails

Boats, trains, and aircraft

Brake pads

Strings for archery bows

…and much more!

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